1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Philip – who currently plays on the PGA Tour Americas circuit – is competing in just his second US Open and his first since missing the cut at the 2018 tournament, which is why making a nervy 5-footer for par at his last hole early on Saturday to make the cut for the weekend meant the world to him.
—
Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
But her life story is nervy, compelling and shockingly sad both with and without him.
—Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
But her life story is nervy, compelling and shockingly sad both with and without him.
—Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Documenting positive attributes such as community involvement, steady employment, family support, and other meaningful contributions is also a wise move.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Only humans can weave meaning, create serendipity, and grow wiser through story.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The adventurous archaeologist travels the globe looking for missing artifacts and historical treasures.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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For something more adventurous, Smyril Line runs a weekly ferry between Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Against Świątek, in two nervous moments, one of them on match point, net cords had given her safe harbor.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The district’s disparate parts would be connected largely by two-lane highways cutting through steep slopes of places such as the Modoc National Forest, where nervous drivers must beware of a lack of guardrails.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In July 2024, Thompson's daughter Gaia shared a cheeky post on her Instagram Stories poking fun at 2023's Barbie movie's tagline — and Thompson's ex, Kenneth Branagh.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The cheeky pop track is the second single from Man’s Best Friend, which was released in late August.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The novel isn’t still, either, throwing us into a fast-paced, daring, but tender investigation into the role of ambition in art.—
Eliana Ramage
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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As described in a press release, CAOS is the singer’s most daring and intimate body of work yet.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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People should be joyful, not worried.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
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He’s not focused on the economy, which most Americans are worried about.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Known on the show for her bold Malaysian flavors, the baker regularly posts baking tips and recipes with her audience, and has even spent some time with fellow contestants.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Carpenter joined a list of bold names like Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Mariah Carey, and Ricky Martin as the night's performers.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Look, the kid’s obviously fearless.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
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Turner will play Lara Croft, the fearless British archaeologist who’s always ready to swing into action with her iconic braid flying and dual pistols blazing.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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